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Latest news from the department.

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Actors, Georgia King, Mark Storen in Mama Stitch by Whiskey & Boots, Perth Festival, 2021. Photo by Fionn Mulholland.

More than $1.3 million in grants for regional performing arts

Mar 8, 2024
Eleven regional performing arts organisations will receive more than $1.3 million between them to support touring and reaching audiences in WA’s regions.
Place Innovation Awards branded graphic

First ever Place Innovation Awards recognise our local communities and spaces

Sep 18, 2023
Our regional and metropolitan local governments have been recognised for their innovative solutions to build community connections, activate local spaces and foster greater collaboration.
A cheerful female doctor sits at a desk in her office and takes notes while meeting with an unidentifiable patient.

Reducing red tape to help regions attract and retain GPs and dentists

May 19, 2023
Changes to Western Australian laws regulating the recruitment of general practitioners (GPs) and dentists by local governments will reduce red tape, easing the burden on many regional local governments trying to ensure their communities have the medical services they need.
A man and a girl in a sensory exhibition

Almost one million reasons to love the arts

May 8, 2023
From an Italian-Yamaji opera to intergenerational arts collaborations, a dozen regional projects will be increasing social inclusion and access to arts and culture.
Montage of 4 images. A person riding a kart, two people swimming in a lane, a person on a mountain bike and a close-up image of a basketball.

Funding supports regional sport and recreation activities

Feb 27, 2023
More than $32,000 in funding has been allocated to provide opportunities for people in regional Western Australia to participate in sport and recreation activities, including capacity building projects.
Two performers in a remote location. Text reads, Playing WA Grant Program.

Regional audiences to welcome 5 exciting performances

Feb 9, 2023
The Playing WA program will support 5 performing arts companies to tour their shows to communities in regional WA, sharing in $475,685 as part of the first funding round of 2022-2023.
Pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and skeleton racer Nick Timmings

Regional Olympics tour to inspire WA’s future sports stars

Oct 11, 2022
Western Australian Olympians Nina Kennedy and Nicholas Timmings will leave their pole vault and sled behind as they jet off to the East Kimberley region to visit communities in Kununurra, Halls Creek, Wyndham, Frogs Hollow and Warmun.
Albany Artist and Creative Grid Mentee Chelsea Hopkins-Allan painting a larger than life Helena Gum Moth.

State Government supports young regional artists and arts workers to kick-start careers

Jul 8, 2022
The Next Level Regional Grants are part of the State Government's Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program (RACIP), which invests in regional Western Australia to support liveable and vibrant communities.
Different objects (such as animals and a gramophone) from museums on a yellow background with the words, 'Uncover WA's surprising collections on your next adventure'

Step right in, WAnderland is waiting

Jun 15, 2022
For the first time, thousands of rare and remarkable items in museums, cultural centres and private collections across Western Australia have been brought together in a new online portal.
Two artists in costume in a field. Paul Foulds and Carl Heslop, The Beauty Index – Ravensthorpe, by Annette Carmichael Projects. Photo by Dene Bingham.

Seven home-grown productions hit the road to tour regional WA

Mar 17, 2022
Seven locally produced shows, including a production of 'Sydney II — Lost and Found' by Theatre 180 Inc, will tour regional Western Australia thanks to a $514,000 State Government funding program.
A group of people walking together along a path

Adventurous minds convene to plan the future of WA’s trails

Oct 14, 2021
Western Australia's biggest-ever trails forum is being held in Albany today to discuss how the state can harness the economic potential of some of our fastest growing pastimes — hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
Female footballer holding a footbal

Country football kicks goals for mental health

Oct 13, 2021
Health Minister Roger Cook today announced the WA Country Football League (WACFL) has been awarded a three-year Healthway grant totalling $855,000 to continue its mental health promotion program.
Albany Artist and Creative Grid Mentee Chelsea Hopkins-Allan painting a larger than life Helena Gum Moth.

Grants programs promoting the arts in regional WA

Aug 17, 2021

LG Alert

Leveraged Creative and Cultural Planning program closing soon.
Getting the Show Back on the Road+ Grant Program tile with a sign reading, 'purchase admission tickets here'

Broadened program supports more live ticketed events in WA

Aug 6, 2021
The State Government's successful risk-share program for the live performance industry has now reopened and includes a wider range of ticketed events.
Nina Kennedy and Natalie Burton pose with students during the Olympics Unleashed Western Australia

Unleash your inner Olympian

Jul 30, 2021
Primary school children are being encouraged to let out their inner hero as part of the Olympics Unleashed program.
A group of players and their coach in a team huddle.

Funding supports sustainable, resilient clubs

Jul 14, 2021
$232,000 awarded in 2021-22 round of Every Club grant scheme. Funding supports sport and recreation clubs to build their organisational capacity and capability of governance, planning and management practices
Runners together in a group with motion blur

Three-year funding arrangement secured for regional athlete development

Jul 7, 2021
The State Government will continue to support the Regional Athlete Support Program (RASP), with $3 million of funding delivered over three years through Royalties for Regions.
A close up photo of a cinema projector

Lights, camera, action for South West CinefestOZ festival funding

Jun 14, 2021
More than 2000 visitors are expected to join the excitement of the 2021 CinefestOZ Film Festival when it kicks off in the South West from 25 to 29 August.
Shot of performers on stage with lights in the background

Shows on the Go program to continue bringing theatre to regional audiences

Jun 2, 2021
The successful Shows on the Go program will continue into 2023 thanks to an $860,000 funding commitment over two years from the State Government.
Young woman with skateboard

Grants enliven WA’s regional sporting participation

Jan 28, 2021
Skateboarding clinics, an artistic swimming program and the development of an athletics training centre are among ten regional initiatives to receive funding in the latest round of the State Government's Active Regional Communities grants.

Local clubs share in State Government support

Jan 28, 2021
The State Government has committed more than $1 million of funding to 27 projects supporting club development.
A person swimming at a local swimming pool

Funding boost for historic Mount Barker swim facilities

Jan 15, 2021
The historic Mount Barker Memorial Swimming Pool is set to receive a major refurbishment made possible by an investment of more than $374,000 by the State Government.
Girl playing the violin in concert hall

Playing WA grants program brings arts organisations to regional WA

Jan 12, 2021
Four major WA touring companies will share just under $1.6 million, taking their productions to regional Western Australia over the next three years, as part of the State Government's Playing WA Multi-year grants program.
Carlien Jeanne at Gascoyne in May

Playing WA supports performing arts tours across regional WA

Jan 12, 2021
Performing arts companies will tour a mixture of world class hip-hop opera, theatre, international jazz, cross-cultural work and musical comedy across regional Western Australia, with funding from the Playing WA grants program.

Recovery continues with fast-tracked community sports grants

Dec 23, 2020
The McGowan Government has given sport and active recreation infrastructure projects in regional Western Australia a $5.5 million funding boost, supporting WA's COVID-19 recovery and creating jobs.

Record investment in women’s sporting facilities under State Government

Dec 23, 2020
The State Government's female friendly facilities initiative continues to encourage greater female participation in sport, with a record investment in women's sport. More than $3 million has been allocated to infrastructure projects which include new and upgraded change rooms that are suitable for women.
Unisex Toilet sign

Female-friendly facilities get the go ahead in Exmouth

Dec 21, 2020
The State Government's focus on making venues more female-friendly continues with Exmouth Recreation Centre the latest facility to commence work on installing unisex change rooms.
Swimmers doing laps in a 50 metre pool

Exmouth splashes into summer with new swimming facilities

Dec 21, 2020
The State Government has invested $750,000 towards a major redevelopment of Exmouth's Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool which will bring the facility up to current Australian Standards.
Teenagers at tennis clinic

Regional groups across WA benefit from active community sports funding

Nov 17, 2020
Six community sporting groups across regional Western Australia are to share in more than $18,000 in the latest round of the State Government's Active Regional Communities grants.
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Partnership to support healthy active communities in the Kimberley

Jun 18, 2020
Children and young people from 37 Kimberley communities are to benefit from $400,000 provided to encourage sporting and other activities under the Smarter Than Smoking Active Communities Program.
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New intrastate travel restrictions from midnight, Tuesday 31 March 2020

Mar 28, 2020

LG Alert

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the State Government will introduce further restrictions on travel within Western Australia from midnight Tuesday night (12.00am Wednesday morning).

Arts, culture and heritage strategy for the Great Southern

Feb 24, 2020
Government organisations and community will collaborate to develop an arts, culture and heritage strategy for the Great Southern region, thanks to a $50,000 investment from the Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program (RACIP).
A hockey player demonstrating hitting the ball in front of children

Sports champions inspire Mid West youth

Dec 6, 2019
Young people in WA’s Mid West met and learnt tips from some of Australia’s best sporting champions as part of the Champions 2 Country tour held last month.
Carlien Jeanne at Gascoyne in May

Grant programs to increase regional arts activity

Sep 19, 2019
Two new grant programs that opened this week will increase the number and variety of arts and culture activities presented in regional Western Australia, by supporting the costs of their delivery.
Car driving in West Australian outback

State Art Gallery works to go on new regional tour

Sep 13, 2019
A new capsule exhibition featuring sculptures, jewellery and ceramics from the State Art Collection will visit regional audiences across Western Australia from 2020.
Lovers Cove in Albany, Western Australia

Regional Subsidiaries — Government Policy and Guidelines

Aug 21, 2019

Ministerial Circular 6 2017

I am pleased to announce the release of the policy and guidelines for the establishment of regional subsidiaries.
East Pilbara Arts Centre interior

Investment into arts and culture supports regional growth

May 7, 2019
The new Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program (RACIP) will deliver almost $20 million in funding to regional Western Australia, including Kalgoorlie, over the next four years.
Anne ZAHALKA The Bathers 1989 c-type photographic print State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia Purchased 2013 © Anne Zahalka, 1989.

First tour for 20 years - State Art Gallery works go on the road

Mar 19, 2019
The first exhibition as part of the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost is opening soon.
An Aerial shot of the red centre roads in the Australian Outback - stock photo

Amendment to Regional Subsidiaries Regulations

Oct 16, 2017

Ministerial Circular 7 2017

Following an amendment to the Local Government (Regional Subsidiaries) Regulations 2017, a regional subsidiary is now permitted to conduct land transactions if they are necessary for pursuing a purpose specified in the subsidiary's charter or winding up the subsidiary.
The long and seemingly endless road of the Eyre Highway, better known as the Nullarbor

Local Government (Regional Subsidiaries) Regulations 2017

Jan 21, 2017

Ministerial Circular 1 2017

I am pleased to announce the introduction of the regional subsidiary model in Western Australia. This is a mechanism that local governments have sought for many years and the necessary changes have now been enacted.
Page reviewed 23 August 2023